The West Australian state government has welcomed a proposal for new hydrogen project in the Goldfields-Esperance region that is set to produce up to 3.5 million tonnes of renewable hydrogen or 20 million tonnes of green ammonia each year.
WA minister for hydrogen energy Allannah MacTiernan issued a statement on Tuesday, describing the Western Green Energy Hub proposal as a major opportunity that, if scaled up, could ‘become one of the world’s largest renewable energy projects’.
“Right across WA we are seeing renewable hydrogen projects taking their next steps forward – from the Kimberley to Esperance,” MacTiernan said.
“Our state is perfectly positioned to lead the global renewable hydrogen industry, delivering a strong economic future for WA and becoming a major contributor to global decarbonisation.”
The consortium supporting the proposed hydrogen project includes InterContinental Energy, CWP Global and Mirning Green Energy Limited – a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Mirning Traditional Lands Aboriginal Corporation, providing traditional owners with an equity stake in the project.
The minister said that the ‘powerful collaboration’ between traditional owners and the mining industry offered a ‘transformational opportunity’ for the community. She added that to date, the WA government has committed over $25 million for the ‘job-creating’ renewable hydrogen industry as part of a renewable hydrogen strategy.
“We look forward to continuing to work with the consortium as they develop their detailed studies and move towards an investment decision,” MacTiernan said.
According to the WA government, the application for the proposed project was supported by the Mirning people.
A licence to collect data has been obtained by project proponents, who are now developing the project feasibility on the proposed site.
Any feedback or news tips? Here’s where to contact the relevant team.